Green Man Lane Estate Regeneration, London, United Kingdom

New identity for Ealing neighbourhood

Conran & Partners designs new scheme for London's Green Man Lane

Constructed in 1971, the Green Man Lane estate declined in recent years. Many existing flats were over-occupied, and residents reported concerns with security and isolation. The regeneration of the estate is the first in a series of projects by Ealing Council, with the scheme being used as an exemplar for regeneration design.

The majority of current residents at Green Man Lane plan to remain on the estate. The unanimous vote in favour at planning committee followed a year-long bidding process and extensive consultation with residents, local amenity groups, CABE and the GLA. Seven workshops were held with residents, with key issues of concern identified as parking, routes, open space, community space and safety.

The new scheme provides a diverse mix of 706 one to four bedroom dwellings across the site, all with generous living spaces to Parker Morris standards + 5%. The majority of dwellings are dual aspect and all have access to private outdoor space, with family houses lining the estate’s perimeter. Three landscaped squares form the heart of the design. The east and west squares are communal courtyards; the central square is a ribbon park, accessible to the public during the day. The street pattern re-establishes routes through the site and retains many existing mature trees. The scheme also provides new community buildings, including a gym and cafe.

The concerns of residents with regard to security are addressed: providing active frontages; separate circulation cores; defensible space at the front of ground floor properties; secure parking; clear routes through the estate; good signposting; no isolated footpaths; CCTV; and gardens which do not back onto public open space.